>> that may be the only way we can get a responsible fiscal deal. and if that deal begins to take shape in late december, the only way to resolve the cliff may be to temporarily go over the cliff so that tax rates reset and we can get on a bitter fiscal trajectory, and -- and -- they can quickly, as nicole mentioned, reverse some worse effects of that. and in that sense, we've gone over it, but briefly. i'm not for it but that is a resolution that would really use the leverage, the dynamics that are in play right now to finally get us on a more sustainable fiscal path. >> it's not juvenile hall, it is just detention. you eventually get out. jared and nicole, thank you very much. >>> meantime, more than 100 major companies have now announced either special dividends or move their dividends up from next year to this year. it is all being done ahead of fear of potential higher taxes on capital gains. while shareholders may be happy, there are likely to be some very unintended consequences. robert frank is here. what are said unintended consequences? >>